Monkeys at Play 1767 - 1806

These silk hanging scrolls, made by Mori Sosen in Japan, offer a glimpse into a world where the meticulous art of painting intertwines with the social fabric of its time. The creation of these paintings would begin with preparing the silk, then carefully applying ink and colors, layer upon layer, to capture the monkeys' playful antics. The artist’s skilled hand animates each figure. But it is the choice of silk as a ground that truly elevates these paintings. The smooth surface allows for the subtle nuances of ink wash. Consider how the pursuit of artistic expression might be linked to broader economic forces. The cost and availability of materials such as silk, pigments, and even the artist's time, reflect the complex interplay between art, labor, and consumption. In foregrounding the material and the making, we recognize craft not as separate from art, but as central to its very definition.